Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described Aero India as a mega meeting of one of the largest supply chains and platform to launch India’s defence manufacturing sector.
‘Aero India is not just a trade fair for defence equipment, but a mega meeting of the largest supply chains with most advanced technology and complex equipment,’ he said after inaugurating 10th edition of Aero India at Air Force station Yelahanka. ‘We hope it sows the seeds of successful new ventures and partnerships – to give our people new opportunities, to make our nations safer, and the world more stable and peaceful.’
Over 250 Indian and 300 foreign firms are participating in this edition of the show. ‘This is the largest ever Aero India. This reflects a new level of confidence within our country and global interest in India.’
We Don’t Want To Be No1
PM said India has a reputation as the largest importer of defence equipment in the world. ‘That may be music to the ears of some of you (foreign delegates) here. But, this is one area where we would not like to be Number One.’
PM Enjoys Flying Display:
After inaugurating the show, PM along with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaih, Governor Vajubhai Vala, Defence Minister and others watched the flying display by various aircraft including Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), HAL designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Sukhoi 30MKIs and Indian Air Force Sarang display team consisting four ALH helicopters.
What seemed to have impressed the PM more was the spectacular performance by Breitling Wingwalkers. In the formation flying team, two women walk on two separate plans, while they performing acrobatics. As the aircraft with women standing on the wings flew in front of the VVIP area, where the PM was sitting, he reached out to binoculars (kept on a table infront of him) to have a better view of small aircraft and women on top of them. He was seen keenly watching the aircraft flying in different formations.
Bird Activity:
Despite many measures taken by the officials at the Indian Air Force (IAF) station Yelahanka to keep birds away during the show, birds were spotted right above the runway and few other places, while many fighter aircraft were performing flying display during the inaugural ceremony.
